Oyster on the way for Thames Clippers

Sean Collins, managing director of Thames Clippers, said: "I can promise that Oyster will be introduced this year. It's something we've wanted for a long time and it will benefit everyone.

"It means the Clippers will be more flexible for the customer, especially when it comes to interchanging with underground services. There is great potential there, although it will be limited to the pay-as-you-go cards."

It means Wharfers will be able to use Thames Clippers' services more easily, especially from Blackfriars pier, where the neighbouring Underground station will be shut for two-and-a-half years from March.

While final negotiations continue Thames Clippers will be temporarily introducing an updated version of the unit card from next Monday.

The popular tickets, which were withdrawn last year amid protests from passengers, will allow customers to buy a book of 10 single tickets which can be used at any time.

It means passengers using them will enjoy a 20 per cent discount off the full price of a single, while travelcard holders will continue to have 1/3 off fares.

"We'd stopped doing the unit cards because they were so easy to defraud," said Mr Collins. "We had a lot of problems with them but they had to be stopped.

"People were upset about that and so were we but we had to thrash out those probems because it was losing us money. But the new unit cards are better and will give the ad hoc user more options to get to and from work."

It looks like being a big year for Thames Clippers in 2009. All the piers it uses will finally have ramps fitted, enabling wheelchair users and people with pushchairs easier access to boats. It is something Mr Collins has advocated for a long time.

He said: "Canary Wharf pier should be refurbished by March, while the ramps are being installed on Waterloo pier this week. It means they will have 100 per cent step-free access for all."

The Clippers' boats proved their worth during last week's snow storms, running a full timetable on Monday evening when most other modes of transport in the capital were experiencing huge problems. Mr Collins was pleased with his crews' performance.

"I'm really proud of the way we rose to the challenge," he said. "We had a 100 per cent service between 7-10pm on Monday night and it was a really great effort from the crews."

For further information visit thamesclippers.com